Blockchain Node Smart Contract Data Structure Parsing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blockchain technologies face challenges in efficiently reading and updating data structures within smart contracts, particularly due to the inability to directly manipulate metadata described in definition description languages using computer programming languages.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for blockchain nodes to obtain invocation requests for smart contracts, parse and update data structures using contract code that converts between definition description languages and computer programming languages, enabling efficient reading and updating of data structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If metadata in smart contracts is described using definition description languages, then data structure specification capability is improved, but ease of manipulation and updating by developers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata structure specification capabilityVSAvoidease of manipulation and updating
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary conversion mechanism that translates between definition description languages (formal, precise) and computer programming languages (developer-friendly). The smart contract system includes converters that automatically transform metadata specifications, allowing developers to work with familiar programming languages while maintaining the precision of formal descriptions. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by bridging the gap between formal specification and practical manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic parameter changes in data structures by allowing metadata to be updated from programming languages. The system supports modifying data structure parameters (adding, removing, or changing fields) through conventional programming language operations, which are then converted back to formal definitions. This maintains specification precision while dramatically improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If smart contracts use formal definition description languages for metadata, then data integrity and precision are improved, but developer accessibility and ease of use deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoiddeveloper accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion system acts as an intermediary that preserves data integrity while improving accessibility. Formal definition description languages maintain precision and reliability, while the automatic conversion to programming languages makes them accessible to developers. The intermediary ensures that semantic meaning is preserved during translation, so developers can work with familiar syntax without compromising data integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates copies of metadata specifications in different language formats. The same data structure definition exists both as a formal definition (for integrity) and as a programming language representation (for accessibility). These copies are kept synchronized through automatic conversion, allowing developers to interact with the accessible copy while the formal copy ensures integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If blockchain nodes automatically convert and update metadata, then ease of data structure manipulation is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of data structure manipulationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blockchain node system performs self-service by automatically handling the conversion between definition description languages and programming languages. The conversion mechanisms are built into the smart contract execution environment, so the system serves itself by translating metadata without requiring external intervention. This automation improves ease of manipulation while containing complexity within the system's core operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The smart contract platform is designed with universal conversion capabilities that handle multiple language formats and data structure types through a single unified mechanism. The conversion system is multi-functional, supporting various definition description languages and programming languages, as well as different data structure formats. This universality reduces overall system complexity by providing a single solution for multiple conversion needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11775507B2Methods and apparatuses for reading and updating data structures, and electronic devices
Publication Date: 2023.10.03 ADVANCED NEW TECHNOLOGIES CO LTD
  • US11775507B2 patent drawing
  • US11775507B2 patent drawing
  • US11775507B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer-implemented method, medium, and system are disclosed. In one computer-implemented method, an invocation request sent by an initiator is received by a blockchain node in a blockchain network. The invocation request is associated with invocation of a smart contract in the blockchain network. The smart contract includes contract code, data, and pre-update metadata. A pre-update data structure described by the pre-update metadata is parsed by the blockchain node and by execution of the contract code. The pre-update data structure is associated with the data comprised in the smart contract. Following parsing of the pre-update data structure, the pre-update data structure is represented by the blockchain node using a computer programming language. The pre-update data structure specified by the computer programming language is sent by the blockchain node to the initiator.